Religious differences are not an excuse to stand alongside the enemy of the Islamic Ummah

According to the Taghrib News Agency(TNA), Sheikh Jihad al-Saadi, a member of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Lebanon, in remarks emphasizing the necessity of avoiding religious and political sedition in the Islamic world, said: "Some ask me, 'You are a Sunni sheikh, why do you defend the Shia?' My answer is clear: Do they want me, solely because of religious differences, to stand with the Zionists and against those who stand against the Zionists?"

He added: "I do not defend a particular sect or denomination; rather, I defend the truth, I stand with the oppressed, and I speak the truth wherever it may be."

Al-Saadi, referring to the fundamental commonalities of Muslims, stated: "The Shia are Muslims; they bear witness to the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), they believe in the Holy Quran, they pray towards the same Qibla, they fast during the holy month of Ramadan, and they perform the pilgrimage to the House of God."

The member of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Lebanon, emphasizing that Muslims are brought together by "one Book, one Prophet, one Qibla, and one Ummah," cited verses of the Holy Quran and said: "God Almighty says: 'The believers are but brothers' (Quran 49:10). He also says: 'And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided' (Quran 3:103)."

He further stated that differences on some issues are not a new phenomenon in the history of the Islamic Ummah, saying: "Sunni schools of thought themselves are four schools that differ with one another on various matters, but the followers of these schools have remained religious brothers, brought together by the Holy Quran, the Prophetic Sunnah, and the unity of the Ummah."

Al-Saadi, referring to the historical experience of resistance in the Islamic world, said: "In the history of the resistance of the Islamic Ummah, Muslims with different powers and approaches have cooperated against American-Zionist occupation. They united with nationalists, leftist parties, secularists, and other national resistance groups, without these alliances erasing their Islamic identity or removing them from Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah."

He added: "How can some express surprise at cooperation and solidarity with Muslims who bear witness to the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH)?"

This Lebanese scholar, emphasizing that in situations threatening human life, land, and sanctities, the main criterion must be truth versus falsehood, said: "When the issue concerns Gaza Hashim, southern Lebanon with its various sects, and confronting the Zionist enemy, the question should not be about which sect a person belongs to; rather, the fundamental question is: Are we standing with truth or falsehood? Are we with the oppressed or the oppressor? Are we with the noble resistance or the Zionist occupiers?"

Al-Saadi stated: "When people offer martyrs and wounded and sacrifice themselves in defense of land, dignity, and sanctities, fairness and loyalty require that the word of truth be spoken about them."

In another part of his remarks, warning of the danger of religious sedition, he noted: "Difference does not mean enmity, and diversity does not mean excommunication (takfir). I oppose sedition, accusations, and provoking sensitivities within the Islamic Ummah."

The member of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Lebanon emphasized: "Our differences on some issues do not remove anyone from Islam and are not a justification for standing alongside the enemy of the Islamic Ummah."

In conclusion, al-Saadi said: "This is my position, and this is my belief: I will stand with the truth, wherever it may be, and I seek the pleasure of God Almighty through this statement."